Cylinder head drip

[stonedrive]

Hi everyone, I’m after some advice, I replaced head and manifold gaskets this year I didn’t have the heads skimmed because manifold was the problem of a leak into two of the cylinder bores. I honed out bores replaced piston rings, cleaned everything up removed carbon buildup and replaced valve shims. Put it all back together pressure tested and had a very small drip on each head. I then increased torque to 65 lb ft and nipped up manifold, all seemed fine then a few days later two small drips again. At this time I don’t have the funds for heads to be skimmed. So my question is would it be possible to use K seal to get me through this summer or is that a big no no, haven’t had stag on the road for a few years now and would love to just use it before winter. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Steve

[Goldstar]

You’ll get conflicting views, Steve. I wouldn’t be averse to using it.

[stonedrive]

Many thanks Goldstar. Steve

[jbuckl]

I’m an avoid k-seal unless it for a banger.
Others will say it’s fine, try it.

[stonedrive]

Hi Julian, haven’t got the funds for skimming so I will give it a try. Don’t want to have it sitting there for another year if I can help it. Cheers Steve.

[jbuckl]

Hi Julian, haven’t got the funds for skimming so I will give it a try. Don’t want to have it sitting there for another year if I can help it. Cheers Steve.

Hope you get to enjoy driving it in 2025 Steve.

[Lingen]

K seal is powerful stuff. You might find that something less "Clogging" is sufficient. Radweld for instance? I have never had any ill effects from using that, and it seals small "Weeps" well.
Mike.

[sujitroy]

I have heard wonders about some of the these new improved formula of such things. Once the fluid comes into contact with air , some reaction happens blocking the hole. Amazon has many reviews on some products here in USA. K seal is one such brand.

[stonedrive]

Hi Sujitroy, yes I’m hoping that it works so I can drive the Stag this summer. All the best Steve. Also thank you Lingen for your thoughts.

[flying farmer]

About 8 years ago when I rebuilt my MK1 stag I overpressurised the cooling system when testing it for leaks after installing it in the car and caused the LH head gasket to start dripping water along the outside edge. Not wanting to strip it apart again I lobbed in a bottle of Kseal to see what would happen.
It still hasn't leaked, and it has probably done 25-30,000 miles since then.

[stonedrive]

Many thanks, that’s given me a lot more confidence in going ahead with K Seal. Cheers Steve

[richardthestag]

k-seal is cheap enough to give a go, other products create big lumps of turkish delight and have a tricky guarantee should you want your money back.

Ran a rover v8 on k-seal for 40k miles, it did go again and when it did effectively destroyed the engine as the cooling system suddenly over pressurised, popped a cap off the radiator and lost all coolant whilst I was at motorway speed with little option but to continue for a mile or 2. Engine rendered a ticking boat anchor by the time I stopped

lesson to be learned on this! permanent fix is to sort the gasket / head / block interface. use products like k-seal but be aware that the issue may well come back when you least expect it

[stonedrive]

Hi Richard, many thanks for your advice I’m hoping it’s only going to be a temporary fix. Hopefully I will have enough funds this winter to do it properly, and this time I’m going to have the engine out on a stand to make the job easier. Cheers Steve

[wilf]

If you put in K seal, make sure the heater water valve is "On", else the K seal can make it, umm, "not working". Ask me how I know.

[jbuckl]

Hi Richard, many thanks for your advice I’m hoping it’s only going to be a temporary fix. Hopefully I will have enough funds this winter to do it properly, and this time I’m going to have the engine out on a stand to make the job easier. Cheers Steve

You were so careful too!

whereabouts are the drips?